Review – Hot Mess: A New Musical – The Other Palace, London

New musicals are emerging all of the time, each with a fresh story to tell – a new perspective to share with a room full of people. Some of these musicals carry a message, or perhaps even a warning…

Meet Hot Mess: A New Musical – the show that brings together Mother Earth and Humanity in a romantic two-hander that tackles climate change and the effects that humans have had on our planet.

The first iteration of the show was called This is a Love Story and was performed in Dundee in 2021. Following alterations to the show and the music, they revamped it in 2024 for a workshop performance, but the show as we know it now had a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year, featuring current cast member Danielle Steers and Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream winner Tobias Turley.

Created by the team behind 42 Balloons, Hot Mess is a genius concept that turns humanity’s relationship with Earth into a rom-com that flashes through the centuries of human discovery, slowly tearing their once-fiery relationship apart – it’s SIX meets The Last Five Years in the best possible way.

This score, heavily inspired by more pop-based musicals such as SIX, is modern, catchy and fun. Right from the first number, myself and many other audience members are nodding our heads and tapping our feet. Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote are the perfect duo when it comes to writing a score like this. Having a score this strong can only drive this musical to new heights.

Alongside their fantastic music is a very enjoyable book by Ellie Coote. Sometimes, with a pop-based two-hander, the book scenes can fall very flat, but this is not the case with Hot Mess. Every single scene is punchy, factual and funny, including clever little references to modern pop culture sprinkled in for good measure! Truly, this creative duo have a winner with this brand-new musical.

Danielle Steers commands the stage with her performance as ‘Earth’. From the instant Steers steps on stage, I know that we were in for a treat. In my opinion, Steers has one of the richest and strongest voices in the UK theatre industry, and she proves this tenfold with Hot Mess. I also really enjoy her strength and sassiness, which turns to vulnerability as the story progresses, showing the damage that humanity has done to the planet – but bringing back her strength at the end for a powerhouse finale. Danielle Steers as Earth is a phenomenal performance that you simply must not miss!

Playing the other half in this two-hander is Morgan Gregory as ‘Humanity’, or ‘Hugh-Manity’ as he introduces himself early in the show. Gregory’s performance is full of energy; his bubbly personality is infectious and wins the audience over almost immediately. I think that, as a character, he has a much bigger arc, making it more interesting for both the performer and the audience. That is not to say that ‘Earth’ isn’t a great character – I just enjoy the journey of Humanity more as we see him slowly tearing Earth apart.

Gregory’s stellar vocals sail through the score, with highlights including ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘What Did You Expect?’. His change to arrogance is a strong choice as he starts to discover new technology, and it really does make you think, “Is this how we, as a race, are treating the planet?”

Having a message this strongly woven into a really enjoyable musical is the perfect way to get the word out to people. Every single audience member I can see is having a fantastic time, resulting in rapturous applause and a standing ovation (even on a Sunday matinee!). If you’re after a romantic, fun and powerful musical to see, head to The Other Palace and catch this incredible duo of Danielle Steers and Morgan Gregory in Hot Mess: A New Musical until the 6th of September.

*****        5 Stars